Make your own candle making kit

Candle making is an old craft that is still alive today, and with a few supplies in your kit you can make your own candles.

By Lori Wortman
Candle making is an old craft that is still alive today. Making candles is a creative, fun, and an easy craft to do. Not to mention there is no end to the various decorating possibilities that can be created.

When starting out making candles you will need to gather a few basic materials to put in your candle making kit. The basis for all candles is wax, and depending on the type of wax candles you want to make you will need to collect paraffin wax, bees wax, soy wax, or candle gel.

Tip: If you have wax candles that no longer can be used, or if you purchase them for next to nothing at a second hand store this can be a good place to start. Not only can you use the wax from these candles you can also use the wicks if they are in good condition.

To melt wax you will need a wax melter which is a seamless durable pot with a secure handle. If you have an old pot that you do not use anymore this would do just fine. For taper candles you could try an old fashion coffee pot; this would serve the purpose of a dipping vat which is a must for making taper candles. You will also need a wax thermometer or a clip on candy thermometer that reads 150 degrees to 300 degrees or 66 degrees to 149 degrees.

For taper candles you will need a dipping frame; this will keep the wicks taut while they are being submerged. This can be used to make several taper candles at one time. When making taper candles you will need a wick rod for holding wicks in place while the wax is hardening.

Tip: Instead of a wick rod try using a wooden skewer or even a pencil to do the same job. This is cheaper and it will work just as well.

When preparing your candle making kit do not forget to lay in a supply of wicks, candle dyes, fragrances, molds (this is optional), and candle wax holders.

Holders are easy to find at yard sales, flea markets, outlet stores, and second hand stores. Most of the time you can find them right around your own house; glass containers of all kinds (mayonnaise jars, baby food jars, pickle jars, champagne glasses, beer mugs, and etc…). You can be as creative as you want when it comes to glass containers, just look around and see what you come up with. Some candle makers even like to use tins like coffee cans that they can paint a theme on, and the lid comes in handy too! Maybe you have some China tea cups and China tea pots; these are also beautiful candle holders.

When putting together your candle making kit you will need supplies for decorating, cutting, and holding things in place. Some good supplies for this would be a glue gun, hair dryer, ruler, paper, and a cutting board. A knife and some scissors will also come in handy too. You will also want to keep some tape, straight pins, and a few close pins handy to.

Tip: Close pins make great wick holders while your wax is drying. When the wax is dry just remove the close pins and the wick is held in place in the center of the candle.

When you are picking out your fragrances you need to know what oils will work with what waxes, some waxes will not mix well with certain fragrance oils. Also some waxes do not mix with other waxes, but a little bit of research will help you get a good start on the do's and don'ts of making candles.

Tip: One of the most important things that you will want to have around is a fire extinguisher, because if the wax gets too hot it can become flammable!

Last but not least your kit should contain some spoons, cookie cutters, polymer clay, and leaf and flower cutters. You can make decorative leafs and flowers to add to your candles, and you can create polymer clay decorations to enhance your candle. When you get better and fancier in creating your candles you could also add dried flowers and leaves to your candles. This process is all up to you; just be creative and you will find that not only is making candles practical, but it is a lot of fun too.